Alina Hock
Burgeoning artist Alina Hock expertly uses color, shape, composition, and texture to create stunning paintings in a variety of forms. In a conversation with us, Alina revealed what inspires her to create such vibrant work. Featured below alongside our chat are a number of her pieces that have been made while studying at a prestigious design school in Germany.
Composition
Where do you get your inspiration from when starting a new piece?
A lot of people ask me this question and to be honest, it's not always easy for me to answer. Many different things inspire me. Sometimes it's simply boredom or a mixture of loneliness and sadness. I find that being creative in moments like these is like delving into another world where I can forget everything and really focus on making something.
It's also the desire to simply create something of my own. The sense of pride I get when I finish a new piece is really amazing. I draw a lot of inspiration from the color combinations I come across during my everyday life. Whether these color palettes are found on the street, at the train station, or in the grocery store, I try to bring them into my work as I love mixing new colors together in unexpected ways.
Color
What is your process like for each painting you create?
My process is a bit random and not always straightforward, as I like to let the work sort of create itself as I guide it to a final destination. Sometimes though, I enjoy working sequentially by painting one shape after another, so they combine in pleasing ways that pull the viewer into the piece. I always find it enjoyable when I surprise myself with a result I didn't expect at the outset.
Shape
Do you have a favorite method of painting?
I generally love painting with acrylic and, like I already mentioned before, I often enjoy working without any specific aim. It's important to allow the materials and colors to guide me where they wish to lead. I find myself playing around with different colors and brushes until I am pleased with the final result. There are many times that I don't know a painting is done until I take a step back and suddenly realize I need to do nothing more.
Texture
How long have you been painting for?
I feel like I have been painting for my entire life, as it has always been a huge passion of mine. As a child I started with mandalas before moving to crayons, markers, watercolors, and oil paints. I've tried out various techniques and nearly every kind of materials before I found the ones that worked best for me.
Contributor
Alina Hock
Alina Hock is a twenty-three-year-old design student at the Academy of Visual Arts in Frankfurt. She lives in Aschaffenburg, Germany.